Library crossbow murder: Father and son shared a troubled past

A crossbow murder in a crowded public library in east Toronto has turned the spotlight on what former neighbours say was a troubled history between the 52-year-old victim and the accused, his 24-year-old son.

Si Cheng was shot with the crossbow while sitting in a library filled with parents and children at 137 Main St., near Gerrard Street, around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Several witnesses reported that the shooter also used pepper spray, although police wouldn’t confirm it.

Neighbours reported seeing a man walking calmly from the library and driving away in a U-Haul van.

Police arrested Zhou Fang just minutes later at a home in Danforth Avenue and Birchmount Road and charged him with first-degree murder.

Property records show Mr. Cheng has owned a home at 116 Mintwood Dr. in the Steeles Avenue and Leslie Street area, since 2000.

Former neighbours say they remember Mr. Cheng, who went by William, as a strange and reclusive man.

Pam Krett, who lived next door, said the family moved in about 10 years ago along with Mr. Cheng’s mother-in-law.

His wife and son left him soon after. They complained to neighbours about years of abuse.

Ms. Krett once let the mother, whom she knew as Nora, and her teenaged son, who went by Peter, wait inside on a cold winter day when they came home to find themselves locked out. The father had the only key, she said.

She said another neighbour once found the boy hiding in his garage and later she saw paramedics treating the family, while the father was taken by police.

She later learned he had been jailed for several months.

His wife left shortly after, just months after the family had moved in, but retained ownership of the home and used to phone the Kretts to find out details about her husband.

“She moved out soon after he came out of jail,” Ms. Krett recalled.

“She was scared, really frightened. She used to phone us from time to time. She would never leave a phone number because she didn’t want him to find out where she was. ”

Mr. Cheng lived alone after his wife and son left, she said, renting out several rooms to tenants, who often complained that he refused to turn on the heat.

The city had to come and cut his grass because it was so overgrown, Ms. Krett recalled. He was evicted about six weeks ago, she said.

Another neighbour, who has since moved, said Mr. Cheng threatened him and his wife with a bag of dog feces.

“I’m so glad that we’re out of the house,” said the man, who didn’t want to be named. “He scared me.”

Mr. Fang appeared in court on Friday with his eyes downcast, but his chin held high.

When the judge asked him if he understood that he would remain in police custody until his next court appearance, a barely audible Mr. Fang quickly and quietly nodded his head and said “yes.”

He did not look at anyone during the hearing. He remained still during his brief appearance, only bending over to briefly talk with his duty council. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 8 and it will be via video.

The library remained closed yesterday as police removed arrows encased in plastic tubing and a box labelled “machete.”

Toronto police say investigators believe the attack was targeted, but have not determined when or why the father and son became estranged.

“It’s still very early in the investigation,” said Constable Wendy Drummond.

“There’s still a lot of interviewing and forensic evidence that needs to be gathered.”

A post-mortem examination has yet to be scheduled.

In Canada, it is legal to possess a crossbow.

Most provinces and territories, except New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Yukon have legalized them for hunting. Only crossbows that measure 50 centimetres or less in length and only require one hand to fire are illegal in Canada. The weapons can be purchased at most outdoors stores.

Last July, a 52-year-old Mission, B.C., man allegedly shot his son in the arm with a crossbow.

The 36-year-old son was not seriously injured and was released from hospital.

In 1991, Patrica Allen was shot dead with a crossbow by her estranged husband on a downtown Ottawa street.